Transom-mullion structure

ABSTRACT

A structure with vertical members and cross members, particularly for facades or roof windows, in whose frame area glass panes ( 100 ) can be inserted, comprises several vertical members ( 1 ) between which cross members ( 2 ) are fixed. Channels ( 3, 4 ) are provided on the outer surface of the vertical members ( 1 ), specifically on the edges thereof, and serve to accommodate a seal ( 5, 6 ), whereby a drainage channel ( 7, 8 ) for diverting liquid is arranged adjacent to the channel ( 3, 4 ). In addition, channels ( 10, 11 ) are provided on the side of the cross member ( 2 ), specifically on the edges thereof, that faces the outer surface of the vertical member ( 1 ), and serve to accommodate a seal ( 12 ) and a retaining strip ( 13 ) located between the channels ( 10, 11 ). According to the invention, a connecting part ( 40 ) is attached to the cross member ( 2 ) at the face thereof and serves to lengthen the channels ( 10, 11 ) and the retaining strip ( 13 ) of the cross member ( 2 ) while at least partially overlapping the channel ( 3 ) located on the edge of the vertical member. This configuration enables the cross member to be easily attached to the vertical member, whereby, for providing an overlapping design of the cross member, a connecting part is easily mounted without requiring a complex notching of the cross member ( 2 ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure with verticalmembers and cross members, in particular for facades or roof windowswith frame areas in which glass panes can be inserted, with severalvertical members between which cross members are affixed, whereby thevertical members have on an edge of an outer surface a correspondingchannel for receiving a seal and adjacent to the channel a drainagechannel for diverting liquids, whereby the cross member has on the sidefacing the outer surface of the vertical member a corresponding channelfor receiving a seal and between the channels a retaining strip.

[0002] DE 34 19 538 A1 discloses a structure with vertical members andcross members for a facade or a roof with a metal framework, whereinglass panes can be inserted into the metal frames. The metal frameworkincludes vertical members and transverse cross members which each haveat their corresponding edges a channel for receiving a seal, so that aglass pane can be placed on a seal that extends peripherally around theedge of the glass pane. Cover profiles, which can be connected withscrews to corresponding retaining channels disposed on the cross membersand vertical members, are provided for securing the glass pane. Betweenthe retaining channels and the channels for receiving the seals, thereare provided drainage channels on both the cross members and thevertical members for diverting liquids that enter between the retainingchannel and the glass pane of the cross member and/or vertical member.The cross member projects over the vertical member near the end faces ofthe channel that receives the seal and is therefore located somewhathigher than the vertical member. This difference in height iscompensated towards the glass by glass support seals having differentheights, i.e., the glass support seals for the cross members are not ashigh as the glass support seals for the vertical members. To implementthis type of connection, the cross member profile has to be notched inthe end region. Notching requires a more work, since the profiles cannotbe simply sawn to their finished lengths. Handling the cross members fornotching and the required fabrication techniques are complex inparticular for long cross members. Moreover, the notching operationincreases the tolerances since the cross member has to be sawn to sizebefore being notched, so that the exact length of the cross membersegment which contacts the vertical member requires greater tolerancesdue to the additional processing step.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide astructure with vertical members and cross members of the aforedescribedtype, wherein the installation of the vertical members is simplified andthe cross member has no longer be notched.

[0004] This object is solved with a structure with vertical members andcross members having the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0005] The overlapping construction is initially retained by installingon the end face of the cross member a connecting element which lengthensthe channels and the retaining strip of the cross member and at leastparty covers the channel at the edge of the vertical member. Thefunctionality of the channels and the retaining strip of the crossmember is also preserved in the region of the vertical member near theedge. In particular, accumulating liquids can be diverted with theconnecting element into the drainage channel of the vertical member. Thecross member can be installed by simply sawing the cross member to thedesired length. The cross member is subsequently installed between twovertical members, whereby the connecting element is affixed to the crossmember either before or after installation. The cross member is herebyheld between the vertical members with smaller tolerances, since thecross member is only sawn once and, unlike with conventional systems,the cross member need not be first cut to a suitable length and thennotched. In addition, this simplifies the installation of the crossmember, so that the additional costs of the connecting element do nothave a negative impact.

[0006] According to an advantageous embodiment, the connecting elementis affixed to the cross member. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat all conventional types of attachment methods, such as screwconnections, adhesive joints, welding or other joining techniques arefeasible. A mechanical attachment is preferred.

[0007] For installing the connecting element in a simple and fastmanner, the element is preferably held on the cross member by way of acoupling element which is inserted into an undercut channel on the crossmember and on the connecting element. The coupling element can beinserted into the channel on the cross member formfittingly andnonpositively, so that the coupling element is at least pre-attached. Inparticular, the coupling element can be easily held adjacent to thecross member profile, if the coupling element has at its end face aC-shaped section which encompasses the bottom of the connecting element,which also obviates the need for a tool for pre-installation. The leg ofthe C-shaped section, which is arranged at the bottom of the connectingelement, is received in the drainage channel located at the edge of thevertical member, so that the C-shaped section does not impede contactbetween the connecting element and the vertical member.

[0008] Preferably, the cross member has a drainage channel on both sidesof the retaining strip, with a corresponding coupling element insertedin each of the drainage channels. The coupling element can also beprovided with channels for diverting liquids so as to preserve thefunctionality of the drainage channel.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, ribs are formedon the connecting element which contact the cross member. Preferably,ribs which contact the channel walls and/or the retaining strip of thecross member are formed on the connecting element. In this way, theconnecting element can be pre-attached to the cross member withoutrequiring an additional component. The ribs can formfittingly contactthe profile surface, so that the connecting element can only move in theaxial direction of the cross member.

[0010] A particularly stable attachment of the connecting element withthe ribs can be achieved by providing at least one recess on an end faceof the cross member, through which a rib of the connecting element isinserted. In this way, a rib can engage below the channel bottom and/orthe bottom of the retaining strip for supporting the connecting elementover an area.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, a cavity isformed below the connecting element, wherein a sealing compound can beintroduced into the cavity for sealing a drainage channel that is formedon the cross member and the connecting element. Gaps can form when anadditional component is employed near the transition between crossmember and vertical member, which can lead to an accumulation of liquid.This can be prevented by sealing the gaps preferably with a sealingcompound or an adhesive. The sealing compound is preferably introducedthrough an opening formed at the transition between cross member andconnecting element.

[0012] To ensure a permanent mechanical attachment of the connectingelement, the connecting element is preferably connected with the channelat the edge of the vertical member by a screw connection.

[0013] The invention will now be described with reference to threeembodiments in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is shown in:

[0014]FIG. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a structurewith vertical members and cross members according to the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure withvertical members and cross members of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 a perspective view of the cross member and the connectingelement of the structure with vertical members and cross members of FIG.1;

[0017]FIG. 4 a perspective view of the cross member and the connectingelement according to FIG. 3 with a coupling element;

[0018]FIG. 5 a perspective view of a cross member with a connectingelement according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 6 a perspective view of the structure with vertical membersand cross members according to the second embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 7A a side view of the structure with vertical members andcross members according to a third embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 7B a partial cross-sectional top view of the structure withvertical members and cross members according to FIG. 7A; and

[0022]FIG. 7C a front view of the cross member of the structure withvertical members and cross members according to FIG. 7A.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure with vertical membersand cross members includes a vertical member 1, with a cross member 2connected to the vertical member 1 at a right angle. Alternatively, thecross member 2 could be connected to the vertical member 1 at a rightangle. The vertical member 1 has channels 3 and 4 disposed along theedges and adapted to receive a glass support seal. A drainage channel 7that can divert liquids downwardly is provided adjacent to the channel.The opposite side also includes a drainage channel 8. A retaining strip9, in which an installation element 102 can be inserted, is located inthe center of the vertical member 1. As seen in FIG. 2, glass panes 100can be inserted into the areas formed by the vertical members 1 and thecross members 2, with the glass panes 100 being placed on top of theglass support seals 5, 6 and 12. The glass panes 100 are secured to theinstallation element 102 and thereby also to the vertical members 1 andthe cross member 2 by way of cover strips (not shown).

[0024]FIG. 2 shows schematically several droplets which representsmoisture entering between the glass pane 100 and the drainage channel 14of the cross member 2. The moisture is diverted via the drainagechannels 14 and 15 on the cross member 2 to the drainage channel 7 ofthe vertical member 1 and discharged from the structure consisting ofvertical members and cross members. The glass panes 100 are notcontacted, since these are disposed on top of the glass support seals 5and 12, whereby the difference in height towards the glass iscompensated by glass support seals 5 and 12 having different heights.

[0025] A retaining strip 13 is provided on the cross member 2, withdrainage channels 14 and 15 encompassing the retaining strip 13 on bothsides.

[0026] As seen in particular in FIG. 3, the overlapping region adjacentto the channel 3 of the vertical member 1 is formed by a connectingelement 20 which is formed separate of the cross member 2 and is affixedto the cross member 2. The connecting element 20 includes retainingchannels 22 and 23, each channel for a corresponding glass support seal,which are aligned with the retaining channels 10 and 11 of the crossmember 2. The profile of the connecting element 20 matches the profileof the outer surface of the cross member 2. Also provided on the crossmember 2 is a fastening strip 16 for securely fastening the cross member2 to the vertical member 1.

[0027] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the connectingelement 20 is secured to the cross member 2 with a coupling element 30(FIG. 4). The coupling element 30 includes at its end face a C-shapedsection 31, wherein the lower leg 32 engages below the bottom of theconnecting element 20. The coupling element 30 is preferablyformfittingly and nonpositively inserted in the drainage channel 24and/or 25 in the connecting element 20 and the cross member 2, whereinthe nonpositive engagement can be reinforced by providing projections orteeth on the coupling element 30. The projections and/or teeth dig intothe profile and the drainage channels 24 and 25, respectively. Thecoupling element 30 can also be affixed with a screw connection. One orseveral coupling elements 30 can be used. The attachment position can bevaried; for example, the coupling element 30 can also be arranged in thechannels 22 and 23 as well as on or in the retaining strip 20.

[0028]FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment, wherein holding means areintegrally formed on one connecting element 40. The connecting element40 includes on each of its edges a corresponding retaining channel 45and 49 and in the center an attachment strip 47. A drainage channel 46is arranged between the attachment strip 47 and the channel 45, and acorresponding drainage channel 48 is arranged on the opposite side. Theprofile of the connecting element 40 again corresponds to the profile ofthe cross member 2, wherein the channels 45, 46, 48 and 49 are alignedwith the corresponding channels 11, 14, 15, 11 of the cross member 2.

[0029] Several rib-shaped sections, which contact the profile of thecross member 2 at various points, are provided for pre-attaching theattachment element 40. Legs 44 and 43 are formed on the attachment strip47 which laterally grip around the two walls of the attachment strip 13.A limit stop is formed on the leg 43, with a corresponding limit stopbeing provided on the leg 44, so that the legs 43 and 44 formfittinglycontact the end face of the attachment strip 13 and thereby fix theposition of the connecting element 40 in the lateral direction.

[0030] Recesses 17 and 18, into which a section of the connectingelement 40 can be inserted, are provided on the end faces of the crossmember 2 in the region of the channels 10 and 11. Bottom sections 41 and42 are provided on the connecting element 40, which partially engagebelow the channels 10 and 11. Openings are formed in the bottom ribs 41and 42, so that the connecting element 40 can be secured on the crossmember 2 with screws 55, wherein the screws 55 extends through openings19 in the channels 10 and 11. A stop 15 is formed on the bottom rib 42which formfittingly engages with the recess 18 of the channel 11. Thesection which is guided through the recesses 17 and 18 operates as acoupling bridge for making contact with the hollow profile of the crossmember 2 with the bottom ribs 42 and 41. Several of these couplingbridges can be provided. The connecting element 40 can also be attachedto the cross member 3 by using other attachment methods.

[0031] Slots 56 are provided in the connecting element 40 for securingthe connecting element 40 to the vertical member 1 by a screwconnection.

[0032]FIG. 6 shows a cross member 2 with a connecting element 40 in astructure with vertical members and cross members. The connectingelement 40 is affixed to the side of the cross member 2 with the legs 43and 44, wherein the connecting element 40 is permanently attached withscrews 55, which are screwed into the cross member 2 and the connectingelement 40. To support large forces, a movable pin 61, which is insertedinto an opening 60 on the vertical member 1, is attached to theattachment strip 16. A groove 62 which has approximately the samethickness as a wall of the vertical member 1 is provided on the pin 61so that the cross member 2 can be interlocked with the vertical member1. The connecting element 40 is in addition secured to the verticalmember 1 with screws 55, whereby the screws 55 extend through the slots53 and the openings 63 within the groove 3 of the vertical member 1.

[0033]FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C depict a third embodiment of the inventionwhich is slightly different from the second embodiment. However,identical elements have identical reference numerals.

[0034] The connecting element 40′ includes sections 50′ which engagewith corresponding recesses in the channels 10 and 11 of the crossmember 2, wherein the end faces of the sections 50′ are rounded. Inaddition, additional ribs 80 and 81 are formed on the connecting element40′ which engage with the drainage channels 14 and 15 of the crossmember 2. All other features of the connecting element 40′ are identicalto those of the connecting element 40. The height of the connectingelement 40′ is fixed by the bottom ribs 41 and 42 as well as the ribs 80and 81. The lateral position is fixed by the legs which encompass theattachment strip 13. Screws 55 are also inserted into the connectingelement 40′ to provide a mechanical connection. In addition, screws 55are screwed into the groove 3 of the vertical member 1.

[0035] As seen in particular from FIG. 7C, a cavity 90 is located belowthe drainage channels 14 and 15 of the cross member 2 adjacent to theconnecting element 40′. The cavity 90 is surrounded on three sides bythe connecting element 40′, with the vertical member 1 contacting theopen side. A sealing compound can be filled into the cavity 90 forsealing the transition region between the cross member 2 and thevertical member 1, in particular also in the region of the drainagechannels 14 and 15. For this purpose, a handheld device 70 is providedwhich contains the sealing compound. This handheld device 70 can be usedto fill the sealing compound into the cavity 90 through an opening 71formed between the connecting element 40′ and the cross member 2. Inthis way, the connecting region between the connecting element 40′ andthe cross member 2 can be reliably sealed. The cavity 90 can also befilled with an adhesive, so that an adhesive connection with the crossmember 2 can be established by using a suitably designed connectingelement 40′.

1. Structure with vertical members and cross members, in particular forfacades or roof windows, with frame areas in which glass panes (100) canbe inserted, with several vertical members (1), between which crossmembers (2) are affixed, wherein the vertical members (1) have on theedges of one outer surface a channel (3, 4) for receiving a seal (5, 6)and adjacent to the channels (3, 4) a drainage channel (7, 8) fordiverting liquids, wherein the cross member (2) has on the edges on theside facing the outer surface of the vertical member (1) a correspondingchannel (10, 11) for receiving a seal (12) and between the channels (10,11) a retaining strip (13), characterized in that a connecting element(20, 40, 40′) is installed on an end face of the cross member (2), whichconnecting element (20, 40, 40′) lengthens the channels (10, 11) and theretaining strip (13) of the cross member (2) and at least partiallycovers the channel (3) disposed on the edge of the vertical member (1).2. Structure with vertical members and cross members according to claim1, characterized in that the connecting element (20, 40, 40′) is affixedto the cross member (2).
 3. Structure with vertical members and crossmembers according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connectingelement (20) is held on the cross member (2) by way of a couplingelement (30) which is inserted into an undercut channel (14, 15, 24, 25)on the cross member (2) and on the connecting element (20).
 4. Structurewith vertical members and cross members according to one of the claims 1to 3, characterized in that the coupling element (30) is formfittinglyand nonpositively inserted into the channel (14, 15) on the cross member(2).
 5. Structure with vertical members and cross members according toclaim 3 or 4, characterized in that the coupling element (30) has on itsend face a C-shaped section (31) which encompasses the bottom of theconnecting element (20).
 6. Structure with vertical members and crossmembers according to claim 5, characterized in that the leg of theC-shaped section (31), which is arranged below the bottom of theconnecting element (20), is received in the drainage channel (7)disposed on the edge of the vertical member (1).
 7. Structure withvertical members and cross members according to one of the claims 1 to6, characterized in that the cross member (2) has a correspondingdrainage channel (14, 15) on either side of the retaining strip (13),with a corresponding coupling element (30) being inserted in each of thedrainage channels (14, 15).
 8. Structure with vertical members and crossmembers according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatribs (41, 42, 43, 44, 80, 81) which contact the cross member (2) areformed on the connecting element (40, 40′).
 9. Structure with verticalmembers and cross members according to one of the claims 1 to 8,characterized in that ribs (43, 44, 80, 81) which contact the channelwalls and/or the retaining strip (13) of the cross member (2) are formedon the connecting element (40, 40′).
 10. Structure with vertical membersand cross members according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that atleast one rib (41, 42) which engages below the outer surface of thecross member (2) is formed on the connecting element (40, 40′). 11.Structure with vertical members and cross members according to one ofthe claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one recess isprovided on an end face of the cross member (2), through which a rib(41, 42) of the connecting element (40, 40′) is guided.
 12. Structurewith vertical members and cross members according to one of the claims 1to 11, characterized in that a cavity (90) is formed below theconnecting element (40, 40′), wherein a sealing compound can beintroduced into the cavity (90) for sealing a drainage channel (14, 15,46, 48) that is formed on the cross member (2) and the connectingelement (40, 40′).
 13. Structure with vertical members and cross membersaccording to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that theconnecting element (40, 40′) is connected with the channel (3) disposedon the edge of the vertical member (1) by a screw connection.